Authorities identify shooting victim, seek suspect (video, new photo)

Published: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 10:50 AM.

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“Early indications appear that the shooting took place during a robbery,” Norman said.

Authorities are offering a $2,500 reward for information that helps lead to an arrest in the case.

Authorities were already investigating store

Smoker’s Etc. sold what is known as “synthetic marijuana.” The product is like potpourri sprayed with chemicals, and it is as addictive and potent as methamphetamine or cocaine, said Sheriff’s Office Capt. Joel Shores.

“In February we obtained warrants for Smoker’s Etc. and took samples of the potpourri,” Shores said. “The store sold items such as bath salts, potpourri and items of that culture.”

The samples were sent to the State Bureau of Investigation lab, and authorities are still awaiting results, Shores said.

According to previous Star reports, H. Alan Pell, staff attorney for the N.C. General Assembly said that all synthetic cannabinoids are illegal in North Carolina.

Authorities released the identity of a man killed during an altercation at a county smoke shop, and they continue to search for the suspect wanted for his death.

James Scott Davis, 43, of the Dallas area of Gaston County, was killed Thursday evening after a suspected armed robbery attempt at Smoker’s Etc., according to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office.

Smoker’s Etc. is off East Dixon Boulevard between Shelby and Kings Mountain.

Sheriff’s deputies have been at the site since the shooting gathering information in an attempt to locate the suspect.

“The investigation is still fully active and we are following all leads and possible avenues,” Sheriff Alan Norman told The Star on Friday. “It’s very tragic and unfortunate. He left behind a wife and several children.”

‘He wasn’t but 45 years old’

Davis was an employee of Smoker’s Etc. and was found by friends who stopped by the store, Norman said.

Davis’s father, Tommy, visited the store Friday.

Tommy told Star news partner WSOC-TV he worked with his son and could have been the one working the business when the incident happened.

“I don’t know what happened,” he said. “All I know is my son is dead and he wasn’t but 45 years old.”

Searching for information

Davis’s death was the result of at least one gunshot wound, Norman said.

The sheriff said Smoker’s Etc. does not have surveillance video to aid in the investigation, but he said authorities will survey video from surrounding businesses for clues.

“Early indications appear that the shooting took place during a robbery,” Norman said.

Authorities are offering a $2,500 reward for information that helps lead to an arrest in the case.

Authorities were already investigating store

Smoker’s Etc. sold what is known as “synthetic marijuana.” The product is like potpourri sprayed with chemicals, and it is as addictive and potent as methamphetamine or cocaine, said Sheriff’s Office Capt. Joel Shores.

“In February we obtained warrants for Smoker’s Etc. and took samples of the potpourri,” Shores said. “The store sold items such as bath salts, potpourri and items of that culture.”

The samples were sent to the State Bureau of Investigation lab, and authorities are still awaiting results, Shores said.

According to previous Star reports, H. Alan Pell, staff attorney for the N.C. General Assembly said that all synthetic cannabinoids are illegal in North Carolina.

But, according to Norman, that’s not where the issue ends.

"It's a cat-and-mouse game of the manufacturer removing one ingredient from the compound whenever it's deemed in violation of the general statute," Norman previously told The Star. "It's ever-changing. It (G.S. 90-94) covered it at that day at that moment."

“But at the end of the day, regardless of what was sold, a needless life has been taken,” Norman told The Star on Friday. “And it is our responsibility to bring that to justice.”

Have information to help authorities?

The sheriff’s office, along with CrimeStoppers, is offering a $2,500 reward for information that helps lead to an arrest in the case.

If you have information, call 704-481-TIPS or the sheriff's office at 704-484-4822.

About 6:15 p.m. – Authorities arrive at the scene of the shooting between Shelby and Kings Mountain

About 7 p.m. – Sheriff Alan Norman confirms a man died in shooting.

About 8 p.m. – Norman tells the media that early investigations indicate the shooting happened as part of an armed robbery.

Overnight Thursday/Friday – Investigators continue to gather information at the scene. A search for information and the suspect continues into Friday.

Friday

* Authorities release identity of shooting victim – James Scott Davis, 43, of the Dallas area in Gaston County

* Davis’s father, Tommy, visits Smoker’s Etc. to clean up after the incident. He tells Star news partner WSOC-TV he doesn’t know what happened at the store.

* Norman tells WSOC-TV the store does not have surveillance cameras.

* Norman says authorities have been investigating activity at the store since February.

* Authorities were still investigating and looking for a suspect as of press time.

Updated 4:20 p.m.

A photo of the victim, James Scott Davis, is now attached to the story, courtesy of Star news partner WSOC-TV.

Updated 2:35 p.m.

The sheriff's office reports shooting victim James Scott Davis is 43 and from the Dallas, N.C., area in Gaston County.

According to the sheriff, the owner of the shop lives in South Carolina.

Sheriff Alan Norman said authorities obtained search warrants in February to investigate at Smoker's Etc., which sells products known as "synthetic marijuana."

Updated 2 p.m.

Star news partner WSOC-TV talked with the family of Davis on Friday.

Davis’s father, Tommy, said he worked with his son at Smoker’s Etc.

Tommy was at the store Friday to clean up.

“I don’t know what happened,” he told WSOC-TV. “All I know is my son is dead and he wasn’t but 45 years old.”

Tommy said he could have been working in the store at the time of the incident.

Sheriff Alan Norman said the store does not have surveillance video to aid in the investigation, but he said authorities will survey video from surrounding businesses.

Investigators stayed on the scene all night.

Updated 12:15 p.m.

The man who was killed at Smoker's Etc. Thursday evening was James Scott Davis, according to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office along with CrimeStoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for information that will help lead to an arrest.

If you have information call 704-481-TIPS or the Sheriff's Office at 704-484-4822.

Check back for more information as it becomes available. "Like" The Shelby Star on Facebook and follow @shelbystar on Twitter for the latest breaking news.

Updated 11:20 a.m.

Sheriff Alan Norman tells The Star that authorities have no new information this morning on last night's shooting. A name of the victim has not yet been released, and authorities are still searching for the suspect.

Check back for more information as it becomes available. "Like" The Shelby Star on Facebook and follow @shelbystar on Twitter for the latest breaking news.

Cars slowed to a stop on U.S. 74, watching the flashing blue lights of deputy sheriff vehicles.

About 6:15 p.m. deputies arrived at the business on East Dixon Boulevard between Shelby and Kings Mountain and found a man dead. His death was a result of at least one gun shot wound, said Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman.

“He was believed to have been an employee of Smokers Etc.,” Norman said. “Deputies were notified by friends of the victim who had stopped by the store.”

Early indications appear that the shooting took place during a robbery, Norman said.

The identification of the victim was not available Thursday night, pending family notification.

“No one is in custody yet and we have an ongoing investigation,” Norman said.

Cleveland County EMS, sheriff's office and N.C. Highway Patrol responded to the scene.

Check shelbystar.com for more information as it becomes available.

Updated 8:25 p.m.

Pickens spoke with the sheriff who said no arrests have been made. Norman also said it was a possible robbery. The identification of the victim has not been released because family have not been notified. Norman said he is believed to have been an employee.